Drug Free Family Newsletter

Transcription

1 September 2010 Volume 11 Drug Free Family Newsletter Welcome Fall with Celebrations, Family Time Issue Highlights In many ways, September serves as a fresh start. The hot, humid weather of August gives way to crisp, bright days and cool nights. Kids are newly settled into another school year. Farmers markets overflow with the fruits (and vegetables) of the annual harvest. And everyone from arts groups to television programming is beginning new seasons. That makes September a perfect time to celebrate Indiana Addiction Recovery Month, which recognizes Hoosiers who are recovering from alcohol and drug addictions. Drug Free Marion County is part of an exciting day designed to honor those in recovery. The Addiction Recovery Month Celebration takes place in downtown Indianapolis on Saturday, Sept. 25. Read our story below to get all the details and plan to celebrate with us. * Recovery Month 2010 * Some "Energy Drinks" Contain Alcohol * Free Family Activities for September * Just for Teens: Alcohol and Tobacco Quiz * Upcoming Events Quick Links Drug Free Marion County Local Report on Underage and Binge Drinking With kids back in school, you should be mindful what they might be sipping while studying. High-alcoholic-content beverages are being sold in cans resembling the packaging of more traditional energy drinks that appeal to young people. Get the details below so you'll know what to watch for. Festival season is in full swing, so make time in this month's schedule to attend one or more with your family. Our list of free activities this month includes events highlighting the cultures of France and Latin America, as well as opportunities to explore art and history. As always, we welcome your feedback. us at nbeals@drugfreemc.org or jsaetre@drugfreemc.org, or call us at Remonstration Manual Underage and Binge Drinking Fact Sheet Tips for Parents Drug Free Marion County Speakers Bureau Donate to Drug Free Marion County Join our Mailing List!

2 Celebrate Recovery Month this September Each September, National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month highlights the societal beneifts of substance abuse treatment, lauds the contributions of treatment providers and promotes the message that recovery from substance abuse in all of its forms is possible. The observance also encourages citizens to help expand and improve the availablity of effective substance abuse treatment for those in need. Drug Free Marion County will help mark this important month by participating in a series of Indiana Addiction Recovery Month events in downtown Indianapolis on Saturday, Sept. 25. The K Hawk Walk: First Steps to Recovery kicks off at 9:30 a.m. at the Canal Walk, 337 W. 11th St. (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.). The 24th Group, a not-for-profit organization that educates the public about the effects of substance abuse on families, sponsors the walk. The Group was named in memory of David Manlove, the son of two founding board members. David died at age 16 from the disease of addiction. After his death, his parents chose the symbol of a hawk to represent their son. In Native American tradition, hawks are messengers that soar between heaven and earth, opening our eyes to a vision of a better, brighter future. If you prefer wheels to walking shoes, join Recovery Ride 2010, which also begins at 9:30 a.m. with an 8:30 registration. The free 90-minute motorcycle ride departs from the west steps of the Indiana State Capitol, 300 Government Plaza. Following the Walk and Ride, the Rally for Recovery at the Canal-Ohio Street basin celebrates all Hoosiers who are recovering from alcohol and other addictions. Held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Rally will feature local musicians and speakers, led by keynote speaker Karen Freeman-Wilson, former Indiana Attorney General and CEO of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. Food will be available from local vendors, or attendees can bring their own picnics. Want more information? Call Drug Free Marion County at or the Indiana Addictions Issues Coalition at To learn more about the origins of Recovery Month, click here. Indianapolis Participates in DEA's First Nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day On Saturday, Sept. 25, the Drug Enforcement Administration is holding a national prescription-drug "Take-Back" initiative. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on that day, participating sites will collect expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs, which will be properly disposed of. The Beech Grove Police Department will assist in the Take-Back drug drop-offs. The service is free and anonymous; no questions will be asked. Drop-off sites will be announced in the coming weeks. "We are aggressively reaching out to individuals to encourage them to rid their households of unused prescription drugs that pose a safety hazard and can contribute to prescription drug abuse," said acting deputy attorney general Gary G. Grindler.

3 According to the director of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske, prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the United States, with a corresponding increase in the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to such drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many people do not know how to properly dispose of unused medication. Flushing drugs down the toilet or simply tossing them in the trash both present potential health and safety hazards. "Take-back events like this one are an indispensable tool for reducing the threat that the diversion and abuse of these drugs pose to public health," Kerlikowske said. For more information on the Indianapolis Take-Back program, contact Dennis Wichern, DEA assistant special agent in charge, at Are You Interested in Public Policy Concerning Alcohol? Sign Up to Receive Our New Public Policy Update. Drug Free Marion County closely follows developments in public policy issues surrounding alcohol at the local, state and national levels. That's why we're introducing a new e-publication, Public Policy Update. This newsletter will keep concerned parties informed about local and statewide issues concerning alcohol and public health. Alcohol regulation in Indiana is a hotly debated issue. Legislation is continually being introduced by those with the goal of commercial gain in mind, whether through increases in licensed outlets, expanded sales of cold beer or expanded hours and days of sale, among other approaches. Often lost among those commecial interests are the public health and safety issues at stake when alcohol sales outlets and overall availability saturates a community. Through Public Policy Update, Drug Free Marion County will alert you to key issues of concern, detail relevant facts and statistics and keep you abreast of developments so that you can actively monitor and act upon issues that are important to you. Public Policy Update will be distributed as information warrants. If you'd like to receive this new e- publication, contact Drug Free Marion County at or Julie Saetre at jsaetre@drugfreemc.org. Free Family Activities in September Fall festivals are in full swing this month, celebrating a variety of cultures. Arts events also are plentiful. So take advantage of beautiful autumn days by enjoying these free activities with your family. You'll build better relationships with your kids and learn something new at the same time. Give Your Kids a Head Start on the Arts... Inspired by the popular First Friday gallery tours downtown, Central Library offers an all-ages version from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 3. First the Curve invites children and families to browse three featured exhibits highlighting digital and traditional artwork by local children and young adults. Musical group Sarah Lee Guthrie and Family performs children's folk music at 7 p.m. Guests

4 also can be interviewed for the Learning Curve podcast "Library Lab." 40 E. St. Clair St., Or Introduce Them to Jazz in the Park The White River State Park's 2010 Family Arts Series wraps up on Saturday, Sept. 11 with An Evening of Jazz with Rob Dixon and Friends. Dixon has played the saxophone for 28 years, beginning as a 10-year-old in Atlanta, Georgia. His early influences were legendary sax players Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane. He studied jazz at Indiana University. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. Blankets and picnics are welcome. 801 W. Washington St., Become a Francophile Say Bon Jour to all things French at the annual St. Joan of Arc French Market, held Sept. 11 from noon to 10 p.m. Live music geared toward the entire family will be performed by The Stardusters, David Ackerman, Mojo Gumbo, Second Wind and Living Proof. Artisan booths, food vendors with French and American cuisine and a bake sale are also highlights. Children's games will take place until 5 p.m. as well N. Central Ave., "Travel" to China Explore Chinese culture at the Chinese American Festival on Sept. 12 from noon to 9 p.m. Enjoy singing, dancing and kids' activities and browse cultural booths. Food vendors also will be on hand. Military Park, 601 W. New York St., Celebrate Mexican Independence Day Commemorate Mexico's Independence Day on Sept. 15 at Garfield Park. Food, music and plenty of entertainment will be available from 5 to 10 p.m. The event concludes with a brief ceremony marking the occasion Shelby St., Learn More About Latin America Discover the many countries that comprise Latino culture at Fiesta Indianapolis on Sept. 18. The annual celebration marks its 30th anniversary this year with art, music, dance and food on American Legion Mall from noon to midnight. 700 N. Pennsylvania St., Watch a Parade (or Join In) The Fountain Square Arts Council hosts an all-ages event bringing together neighborhood residents, artists, musicians and more for the Fountain Square Art Parade. Individuals and groups are invited to generate content for the parade, such as floats, marches, dances or portable artworks. Pre-register to join in the fun, or simply show up and watch the creativity flow by. Area of Virginia Avenue and Prospect Street, Go Back in Time As Indiana's only Smithsonian Affiliate, living-history museum Conner Prairie is participating in Smithsonian Museum Day on Sept. 25. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket will receive free general admission. Tour four historic areas: the Lenape Indian Camp, the 1823 Conner Homestead, 1836 Prairie Town and 1886 Liberty Corner. To print your coupon for free general admission, click here Allisonville Road, Fishers,

5 Just for Teens: Alcohol and Tobacco Quiz How much do you khnow about alcohol and tobacco products? Take this quiz and find out. 1. More kids and teens have tried alcohol than have tried cigarettes. T/F 2. Alcohol and tobacco are drugs. T/F 3. Alcohol and tobacco are addictive. T/F 4. Marion County leads the state in arrests for driving while under the influence (DWI). T/F 5. Twenty-five percent of motor vehicle fatalities in the U.S. are alcohol related. T/F 6. Alcohol and tobacco cause 400,000 deaths annually in the U.S. 7. Both tobacco and alcohol companies need to attract new customers in order to survive. T/F 8. In general, advertising has a greater impact on young people than adults. T/F Answers: 1. True.Studies have consistently shown that more young people have tried alcohol than cigarettes. 2. True. Both alcohol and the nicotine found in cigarettes are classified as drugs. Alcohol is a depressant that affects your body's central nervous system. Nicotine is an organic compound that has potent effects on the human body. 3. True. Both alcohol and nicotine are addictive. And they often are abused together. The Indiana University School of Medicine reports that using nicotine leads to an increase in alcohol consumption. 4. True. In 2007, Marion County recorded 3,072 DWI arrests -- more than any other Indiana county. 5. False. Unfortunately, the number is much higher. Alcoholalert.com reports that 37 percent of motor-vehicle fatalities in the U.S. in 2008 were alcohol related. 6. False. More than half a million deaths , are caused by tobacco (435,000) and alcohol (85,000) each year, according to drugwarfacts.com. 7. True. As customers literally die off, both tobacco and alcohol companies need replacement smokers and drinkers to support their industries. 8. True. Young people who lack the life experience to counter advertising messages are more likely to make positive associations with products that are being advertised.

6 Upcoming Events Public Policy Committee Meeting and Local Advisory Council When: Monday, Sept. 13, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (The meeting will begin with the Public Policy Committee and then move into LAC business) Where: United Way/RCI Room 3901 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, What: The Local Advisory Council works to change the availability and social norms around alcohol in Marion County. The Public Policy Committee researches current and proposed local and state public policy issues concerning alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Local Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup Meeting When: Thursday, Sept. 16, 3:30 to 5 p.m. Where: Drug Free Marion County 2506 Willowbrook Parkway, Indianapolis, What: This group works to gather data on alcohol use in Marion County. Drug Free Marion County Board Meeting When: Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010, 8:30 to 10 a.m. Where: John H. Boner Community Center, 2236 E. 10th St. What: Board discusses organizational planning and practices. Our Mission Drug Free Marion County -- a not-for-profit organization -- plans, promotes, implements and coordinates community efforts to prevent and reduce the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs among youth and adults. Contact Us: Drug Free Marion County 2506 Willowbrook Parkway, Suite 100 Indianapolis, IN info@drugfreemarioncounty.org

7 The Drug Free Family Newsletter is funded through a grant from FSSA/Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction.